Judge blocks Trump's proposal to strip immigrants' work permits | Court News

A U.S. federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from revoking work permits for tens of thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS), preventing the policy from taking effect as early as Wednesday. On July 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton ruled on Tuesday in favor of immigrant rights groups and labor unions challenging multiple U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy changes. The five-page order remains in place while a longer injunction is considered, with a decision expected by August 5. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month by a coalition represented by Democracy Forward, challenged changes including rejecting pending asylum applications and revoking work permits for people who do not pay newly created annual asylum fees, as well as ending a rule requiring initial asylum work permit processing within 30 days. The judge also addressed concerns about retroactivity affecting nationals of El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine who still have TPS. Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman said the ruling protects thousands from immediate and irreparable harm while the case proceeds.